MY10.5 R36 wagon - impressions after a week of ownership

[kleung]

I've been told from a number of sources that there is absolutely no need to run these cars in.

Fair enough. I've been told this several times too, but I'll stick with what the manual says (and conventional wisdom). In any case, driving it gently gives me a chance to gradually learn the capabilities of the car, so I don't end up overcooking it.

That has come from a very reliable source so I'm running with it!!

Care to share?

[deano646]

Care to share?

Dealer principle who I know personally - he wouldn't lead me astray!

[sanchez]

Havent been around here for a while... caught up on all R36 events! Too many things to comment on but a few things caught me eye

1. The manual sucks balls hard!! I've gone to the car on a few occasions, sat down, opened the book and tried to understand a few things and got out of the car more confused then when i entered it!

2. Would love to know how some of you are getting such low avg fuel consumption, ie mentions of 9 and 10. Mine hovers from 13 to 14 these days (if im lucky) and seeing I only get to her 2 or 3 times a week, shoots up to around 20+ quite easily. I find the trip computer way too untrustworthy too at times and want to strangle her for lying to me about fuel projections haha

3. Catch 20/20 situation of the annoucement of the R36 being discountinued. On one hand good for resale as I cant see myself loosing out on this car now but on the other shattered that such a lovely racing machine (badge really) is being replaced.

4. Ken your write ups should be framed.. ive always enjoyed what you have written about the car on wp and are always a good source of information. As for my write up... i need to spend more time in the car... the wife has her most of the week!!! I am yet to take her out for a weekend thrashing .. just been too busy and the weather down here has been shocking every weekend!

I am thinking about taking her to winton next year too so i can really open her up! anyone else keen?

[kleung]

2. Would love to know how some of you are getting such low avg fuel consumption, ie mentions of 9 and 10. Mine hovers from 13 to 14 these days (if im lucky) and seeing I only get to her 2 or 3 times a week, shoots up to around 20+ quite easily. I find the trip computer way too untrustworthy too at times and want to strangle her for lying to me about fuel projections haha

Oddly, I actually find that I tend to get better fuel economy when I have the MFD on a display OTHER than fuel consumption. Also use Average 2 (long term average) instead of Average 1 (current trip average) for a more accurate reading.

The other day I had to drive down Wellington Road from Lysterfield to Clayton, and I my average consumption read 9.1 for a short period. Then I had to stop for some traffic lights - by the time I took off again it was >10

4. Ken your write ups should be framed.. ive always enjoyed what you have written about the car on wp and are always a good source of information. As for my write up... i need to spend more time in the car... the wife has her most of the week!!! I am yet to take her out for a weekend thrashing .. just been too busy and the weather down here has been shocking every weekend!

Cheers. I've now hit 1300km, so I'm starting to open her a bit now. That V6 *really* sings once you get over 4000rpm.

I can't wait to get it properly run in so I can go for a run down the GOR.

[Trex41]

I just picked up my Black R36 Wagon on Wednesday after driving a MkV Golf GTi for the last 3 years. What a car!! Lovely to drive and the noise it makes ......peeerrrfect!! I must say after driving a manual, the DSG takes a little getting used to especially at low speed. On the freeway though it is so graceful, acceleration so smooth... and quick! Looking forward to my road trip to Adelaide next month!

[satz]

just finished an extended test drive of an R36 sedan, which included short cruising at 110kmh or so

How do owners put up with the surprisingly large amount of road and wind noise?

Very much the same amount as my 08 GTI had. I expected some road noise, but even wind noise from the mirrors??

Do many of you take long trips and find you get used to it...or not?

thanks

S

[kleung]

How do owners put up with the surprisingly large amount of road and wind noise?

Too busy enjoying that engine note.

[sanchez]

Too busy enjoying that engine note.

x 2!!!!

How many km's you got on her now? Im just a tick over 4000

[kleung]

How many km's you got on her now? Im just a tick over 4000

Just over 2000km. Fuel economy is noticeably improved, but that could be just as much my driving style adapting to the new car...

[Pana]

How do owners put up with the surprisingly large amount of road and wind noise?

it's a hell of a lot quieter than our CR-V and our previous cars (WRX, Astra and Vectra).

TBH, can't say I've ever noticed wind noise from the mirrors - teh CR-V gets a bit of wind noise at 100km/h but again, can't say I've noticed it at all in the Passat.

[thezoneR32]

You all suck. I drove the R36 and it was by far the best car I have ever driven and I love (loved my R32) until this point. I was hoping that my R32 would sound better but the baarp noise that comes out of my exhaust is no match for the deeper almost v8 sound that burbles from the 3.6. I hate you all cos my wife is about to have another baby and my chances of uprgrading are getting slimmer by the day!

[PA.]

I hate you all cos my wife is about to have another baby and my chances of uprgrading are getting slimmer by the day!

At inverse proportions to your wife.

[kleung]

You all suck.

Oh come on, we can't be THAT bad! We're all R36 owners after all. Besides, an R32 is still a very worthy car. Probably handles better than an R36, being lighter and all...

I hate you all cos my wife is about to have another baby and my chances of uprgrading are getting slimmer by the day!

1. Congratulations on the almost-here baby!
2. Now is a great time to upgrade to an R36 wagon, as you will need the extra luggage space for all the baby paraphernalia that you're going to have to cart around.

Btw, to those who were complaining about road noise in the R36, I just got home from a weeks holiday in Tasmania, driving a rented VE Commodore SV6 Sportwagon (tossing up the idea of writing up an R36 vs SV6 comparo). Driving the SV6 on the coarse bitumen Taswegian roads was very hard on my ears.

Obviously, I'm very glad to be back in my R36, but the SV6 with the 6sp auto is a chalk-and-cheese improvement on the 4sp Commodes of old - I last drove a rented VZ1 Commodore Executive sedan (175kw V6 Alloytec 3.6 4sp auto) in 2005 from Melbourne to Sydney, and before that I owned a VS1 Berlina V6 from 2000-2004.

[Passat R36]

Sorry to revive this thread but this writeup is the BEST!
I read this a couple of timers before and after I bought my R36, I feel the exactly the same about Pros and Cons!

All R36 owners and potential buyers should have a read so they can know more about R36.

Thanks for the great write up!

[snerlo]

Yeah, I agree with everything said so far. One thing that I wish they had thought about with the wagons was maybe some way of directing part of the airflow down over the back screen. I find that the back of the car gets dirtier a lot quicker than the rest of the car obviously due to the turbulence created due to the shape of the car, but that is being picky I know. As much as I love the front seats, I actually prefer proper leather. Sometimes you just don't really want to be feeling like you are sticking to the seat due to the velvet feel. Our Jetta turbo has the proper leather and having the ability for your clothes to slip a little on the seats to get comfortable, is a little easier, but again, that is being real nit picky!! I love this car. Another problem is the fact that it is the family hauler and I don't get to drive it much!!